Our mission is to rejuvenate and elevate music education in Hawaii schools by cultivating a dynamic community that unites stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. We see a vision of a future where music education is integral to every student’s life in Hawaii, empowering them to pursue their musical passions and contribute to the state’s cultural and economic development—a world where music is part of the bare minimum.

Music is part of the bare minimum because it is fundamental to the human experience and essential for personal and communal development. It transcends mere entertainment, serving as a powerful tool for emotional expression, cognitive growth, cultural preservation, and social connection.

Our Values

Community Engagement (Deep Red - Land): The land is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, just as community engagement is the foundation of the Aloha State Music Festival. Deep red represents the rich soil that nurtures and supports life, much like how the festival fosters a connected, supportive community of students, educators, and professionals, all working together to strengthen Hawaii’s musical heritage.

Advocacy (Yellow - Sands): The golden sands of Hawaii’s beaches are a meeting place where land and sea come together. Advocacy acts in the same way, bridging the needs of music education with policy and funding, ensuring that the festival's message reaches decision-makers. Like sands shaped by the tides, advocacy continuously evolves to support and protect music programs.

Innovation (Deep Blue - Ocean): The ocean is vast, dynamic, and ever-changing, symbolizing innovation. Like the deep blue waters surrounding Hawaii, innovation embraces new technologies, trends, and creative approaches in music education, allowing students to navigate the ever-evolving currents of the modern music industry and explore new horizons.

Cultural Preservation (Green - Mountains): The mountains stand tall and enduring, representing strength and continuity. Cultural preservation, like the lush green peaks of Hawaii, ensures that the rich traditions of Hawaiian music are safeguarded for future generations, standing firm as a testament to the island’s cultural heritage.

Education (Light Blue - Sky): Like the expansive and limitless sky, education provides students with boundless opportunities to grow, explore, and reach new heights in their musical journey. The sky symbolizes aspiration and the vast potential music education unlocks for students across Hawaii.

The Showcase of Music is a vibrant celebration of Hawaii’s school music programs, bringing together talented student musicians from across the island of Hawaii. Designed to highlight the importance of music education, this festival provides young performers with a platform to share their artistry, learn from esteemed professionals, and connect with fellow musicians. The event features live performances from school bands, orchestras, choirs, and ukulele ensembles, offering audiences a dynamic mix of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary music.

Taking place in Kea‘au, Hawaii, on May 4, 2025, the Showcase of Music serves as both a performance opportunity and an educational experience. Students will receive feedback from expert adjudicators. The festival aims to inspire students, foster community support for music education, and advocate for stronger arts programs in Hawaii’s schools. Through this event, Aloha Music reinforces its mission to ensure that music education not only survives but thrives in Hawaii.

The Aloha State Music Festival is Hawaii’s premier all-state music event, bringing together top student musicians from across the islands for an unparalleled educational and performance experience. Designed to elevate and celebrate excellence in school music programs, the festival provides students with the opportunity to perform in prestigious All-State ensembles, including band, trombone choir, chamebr recital, and the All-State ‘Ukulele Ensemble.

More than just a festival, the Aloha State Music Festival is an immersive ecosystem of music education that extends beyond performance. Students participate in artist-in-residence programs, professional development sessions, and workshops led by esteemed music educators and industry professionals. The festival also features guest performances from ensembles across the U.S. and internationally, exposing students to diverse musical traditions and techniques.

Surrounding the festival is a dynamic music education experience, including elementary education concerts, an expo floor, and networking opportunities for students and educators. Through these initiatives, Aloha Music is committed to strengthening music education statewide, ensuring that all keiki have access to high-quality, impactful, and culturally enriching musical experiences. The Aloha State Music Festival stands as a testament to the belief that music is not just an extracurricular activity—it is an essential part of a thriving education system and cultural identity.

Three dedicated leaders founded Aloha Music to uplift music education in Hawaii, create lasting opportunities for students and teachers, and ensure all keiki have access to impactful, high-quality music experiences statewide. Kuʻulei Arceo, Band Director at Hilo High School and Aloha Music’s Founder and Artistic Director, wanted to build state-level performance and learning opportunities, especially for those on neighbor islands. Dr. Rickey Badua, a Kamehameha Schools graduate and current Director of Bands at CalPoly Pomona, serves as Founder and Chairman of the Board. His goals are to advocate for greater Native Hawaiian representation in music communities and ensure all Keiki have equal access to impactful, high-quality music education. Bradford (BJ) Yamamoto, Jr., Founder, President & CEO, and Research Fellow at Aloha Music, is pursuing a PhD in Education at Claremont Graduate University. Driven by his belief that music is an essential part of human existence, he seeks to ensure that music education reaches everyone through Hawaiʻi’s schools.

Your contribution helps build the movement and provides Hawaii students with premiere all-state music education.

Aloha Music is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.